Skilling shines for St Anne’s

RUGBY: OLDHAM St Anne’s continued to give youth an opportunity in their Napier Windows Standard Cup semi-final clash at Rochdale Mayfield by handing a first-team debut to Luke Skilling at scrum-half.

Despite giving a good account of themselves and having plenty of opportunities in the first period, the scoring was dominated by Mayfield, who ran out 26-6 winners. The highlight was a 60-metre breakaway try by Mayfield winger Rhys Carruth, who beat several defenders and the full back to score under the posts. Three conversions by Aide Gleeson gave the hosts an 18-point lead at half-time.

National Conference League Division Three outfit Saints started the second half in determined mood and, after some early pressure, got on the scoresheet. Greg Worrall ran an excellent line, splitting the Mayfield defence and side-stepping the full back before going under the posts.

Saints continued to press with Matthew Whitehead and Skilling eagerly leading the team forward.

A Skilling break led to the Mayfield full-back being sin-binned and Saints could sense an opportunity.

But top-flight outfit Mayfield hung on and after returning to their full compliment sealed the tie with two late tries.

It was an excellent display for Saints, who had stand-out performers in Skilling, Worrall and Rhys Wareing.